Man sent to jail for 25 years
Thorough police work, persistence and dedication saw Detective Sergeant Teboho Khanye successfully secure a 25-year sentence for a 27-year-old man who raped his female friend.
On December 19, 2021, at approximately 01:00, the victim alleged she was with her friends, drinking alcohol. Eventually, her friends left without informing her.
While she was trying to locate them, she was approached by the accused who informed her that her friends had gone to his place and she would find them there.
She believed him and they proceeded to the accused’s residence. As they approached the house, she was surprised to note that no sounds or voices were coming from the house.
She started questioning the accused while they were approaching the house but he politely replied by telling her not to make any noise, and she complied. He then grabbed her pulled her inside the house, and locked the door while instructing her not to make noise.
He undressed her and forced himself on her by raping her why telling her this must stay between them. She allegedly acted calmly during the ordeal.
Meanwhile, all along, she was planning her escape and informed the man that she was going to an ATM nearby to withdraw money to buy more alcohol. She was scared for her life and was thinking of a way to escape.
As soon as she left the house, she went straight to the home of a member of the local street committee who advised her to report the matter to the Katlehong SAPS.
A case docket was lodged and assigned to Detective Sergeant Khanye.
On April 15, almost three years after the crime was committed, the accused, Thami Mbele, was found guilty for rape by the Regional Court sitting at Palm Ridge. He was sentenced to prison for 25 years.
